October 25, 2013

Mekel settling in as the backup point guard

DALLAS -– These three-plus weeks of training camp have been fast and furious for DallasMavericks point guard Gal Mekel.

The rookie from Israel basically has been in some sort of baptism by fire as he tries to translate thegame he knew back home to the NBA game. And it’s a huge difference between the players in the NBA and what Mekel was accustomed to playing against.

“The level, of course, is higher,’’ Mekel said, referring to the NBA. “It’s a much faster game, more athleticism, the bodies are bigger.

“Of course it depends also where you stand in the team. I’m a new guy, a rookie here, so of course I need to prove myself.’’

Back home in Israel, there was no proving ground for Mekel. He was the man, as evident by the factthat he was the Most Valuable Player of the Israeli Super League in 2011 and2013.

But this is the NBA. And those 26 turnovers Mekel piled up in the eight preseason games reminded him that lazy passes he might have gotten away with back home will likely result into steals for the opponents in the NBA.

Asked when will he get his turnovers down to a manageable number, Mekel said: “When I be more comfortable and get to know the players and learn more about the quickness of the guys. Sometimes you’re still playing with your old habits, but I’m sure that they will go down and this is not something that I’m worried about.’’